Hey Beth, post your starting and ending points here (or send them to me privately if you prefer), and I'll work out a foolproof public transit route for you! I've been doing the El/bus thing for over 8 years now, and I know all the tricks on the transitchicago.com website too....
Driving on Michigan Ave is icky unless 1) it's 10 pm or later and 2) you're not in a hurry!
--AC (now planning her transit route for her first mammogram...)